Country Café, located at 245 Main Street in Barnwell, South Carolina, recently underwent a routine inspection by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and received a failing grade of ‘C’ with a score of 75 points. The inspection, conducted on May 20, 2026, highlighted several priority violations that raise concerns about food safety practices at the establishment.
Inspection Findings
Inspectors documented numerous violations related to employee hygiene, food storage, and sanitation practices. Notably, employees were observed failing to wash their hands properly after changing gloves, and one employee was seen preparing a salad with bare hands. Additionally, handwashing was improperly conducted in a three-compartment sink instead of a designated handwashing sink, and the hallway hand sink failed to meet the required hot water standards, reaching only 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature violations were also a significant concern. Sliced ham was found at 45 degrees Fahrenheit, while grilled onions and feta cheese were both at 51 degrees inside a prep cooler, temperatures deemed unsafe for proper cold holding. Furthermore, multiple ready-to-eat items, such as honey glazed carrots, coleslaw, and chicken bacon ranch sauce, were stored past their discard dates, marking a consecutive offense that may lead to enforcement actions.
Additional Concerns
The inspection report also noted cracked eggs stored alongside whole eggs, household pesticide stored above a three-compartment sink, single-service items placed on the floor, and excessive grease and grime around cooking equipment. The refrigerator door gaskets were found to be in poor repair, further contributing to the establishment’s failing grade.
Due to these findings, the person in charge was cited for failing to demonstrate active managerial control over food safety practices. The SCDA indicated that a follow-up inspection might be required within 60 days, and the establishment was reminded that violations could result in fines of up to $1,000 per violation per day under South Carolina law.
Inspection reports are snapshots in time and do not necessarily reflect ongoing conditions at a facility. Establishments are typically given opportunities to correct violations, and many issues can be addressed before follow-up inspections occur.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
